Searching for the meaning of your last name can be a fascinating journey into your family history. Last names, or surnames, have been passed down through generations, carrying with them stories of origins, occupations, and even personality traits. Whether you're curious about your own family's past or simply fascinated by the history of names, a last name search can offer valuable insights and connections to your ancestry. This comprehensive list provides detailed meanings for hundreds of popular last names, helping you uncover the rich history behind your surname.
1. **Smith:** A common occupational name for a blacksmith, derived from the Old English words "smiþ" meaning "smith" and "smithð" meaning "smith's workshop."
2. **Johnson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of John," derived from the Hebrew name "Yochanan," which means "God is gracious."
3. **Williams:** Another patronymic surname, meaning "son of William," derived from the Germanic name "Wilhelm," which means "resolute protector."
4. **Brown:** A descriptive surname referring to someone with brown hair or complexion, or who lived near a brown area.
5. **Jones:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of John," similar to Johnson.
6. **Miller:** An occupational surname for someone who worked as a miller, grinding grain into flour.
7. **Davis:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of David," derived from the Hebrew name "David," which means "beloved."
8. **Garcia:** A Spanish surname, meaning "little bear," derived from the Basque word "garci."
9. **Rodriguez:** A Spanish surname, meaning "son of Rodrigo," derived from the Germanic name "Hrodric," meaning "famous ruler."
10. **Wilson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of William," similar to Williams.
11. **Moore:** A descriptive surname referring to someone who lived near a moor or wetland.
12. **Taylor:** An occupational surname for someone who worked as a tailor, making clothes.
13. **Anderson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Anders," derived from the Scandinavian name "Anders," meaning "mankind."
14. **Thomas:** A surname derived from the Aramaic name "Thoma," meaning "twin."
15. **Jackson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Jack," derived from the English name "Jack," which is a diminutive of John.
16. **White:** A descriptive surname referring to someone with white hair or complexion.
17. **Harris:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Harry," derived from the Germanic name "Hari," meaning "army."
18. **Martin:** A surname derived from the Latin name "Martinus," meaning "warlike."
19. **Thompson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Thomas," similar to Thomas.
20. **Garcia:** A Spanish surname, meaning "little bear," derived from the Basque word "garci."
21. **Martinez:** A Spanish surname, meaning "son of Martin," derived from the Latin name "Martinus."
22. **Robinson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Robin," derived from the Germanic name "Hrodberht," meaning "bright fame."
23. **Clark:** An occupational surname for someone who worked as a scribe or clerk.
24. **Lewis:** A surname derived from the French name "Louis," meaning "famous warrior."
25. **Lee:** A surname derived from the English word "lea," meaning "meadow."
26. **Walker:** An occupational surname for someone who worked as a walker, traveling on foot.
27. **Hall:** A descriptive surname referring to someone who lived near a hall or large house.
28. **Allen:** A surname derived from the Old English word "alen," meaning "handsome" or "noble."
29. **Young:** A descriptive surname referring to someone who was young.
30. **Hernandez:** A Spanish surname, meaning "son of Hernando," derived from the Germanic name "Ferdinand," meaning "peaceful journey."
31. **King:** An occupational surname for someone who was a king, or a descriptive surname referring to someone who lived near a king's estate.
32. **Wright:** An occupational surname for someone who worked as a craftsman, particularly a carpenter or wheelwright.
33. **Lopez:** A Spanish surname, meaning "wolf," derived from the Latin word "lupus."
34. **Hill:** A descriptive surname referring to someone who lived near a hill.
35. **Scott:** A surname derived from the Old English word "scop," meaning "poet."
36. **Green:** A descriptive surname referring to someone who lived near a green area or had green eyes.
37. **Adams:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Adam," derived from the Hebrew name "Adam," which means "man."
38. **Baker:** An occupational surname for someone who worked as a baker, making bread.
39. **Gonzalez:** A Spanish surname, meaning "son of Gonzalo," derived from the Germanic name "Gunthram," meaning "battle-warrior."
40. **Nelson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Neil," derived from the Gaelic name "Neil," meaning "champion."
41. **Carter:** An occupational surname for someone who worked as a carter, transporting goods by cart.
42. **Mitchell:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Michael," derived from the Hebrew name "Michael," which means "who is like God?"
43. **Perez:** A Spanish surname, meaning "son of Pedro," derived from the Greek name "Petros," meaning "stone."
44. **Roberts:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Robert," derived from the Germanic name "Hrodebert," meaning "bright fame."
45. **Turner:** An occupational surname for someone who worked as a turner, shaping wood or metal on a lathe.
46. **Phillips:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Philip," derived from the Greek name "Philippus," meaning "lover of horses."
47. **Campbell:** A Scottish surname, meaning "crooked mouth," derived from the Gaelic word "cam."
48. **Parker:** An occupational surname for someone who worked as a park keeper or gamekeeper.
49. **Evans:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Evan," derived from the Welsh name "Evan," meaning "God is gracious."
50. **Edwards:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Edward," derived from the Old English name "Eadweard," meaning "wealthy guardian."
51. **Collins:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Colin," derived from the Gaelic name "Colin," meaning "young wolf."
52. **Stewart:** A Scottish surname, meaning "steward," derived from the Old French word "estiuard."
53. **Sanchez:** A Spanish surname, meaning "son of Sancho," derived from the Germanic name "Sigfrid," meaning "victorious peace."
54. **Morris:** A surname derived from the Welsh name "Morys," meaning "sea warrior."
55. **Rogers:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Roger," derived from the Germanic name "Hrodgar," meaning "famous spear."
56. **Reed:** A descriptive surname referring to someone who lived near reeds or a reed bed.
57. **Cook:** An occupational surname for someone who worked as a cook, preparing food.
58. **Morgan:** A Welsh surname, meaning "sea defender," derived from the Welsh words "mor" and "gwynn."
59. **Bell:** A descriptive surname referring to someone who lived near a bell tower or worked with bells.
60. **Murphy:** An Irish surname, meaning "sea warrior," derived from the Irish words "muir" and "fear."
61. **Bailey:** A descriptive surname referring to someone who lived near a bailey, the fortified area around a castle.
62. **Rivera:** A Spanish surname, meaning "riverbank," derived from the Latin word "ripa."
63. **Cooper:** An occupational surname for someone who worked as a cooper, making barrels.
64. **Richardson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Richard," derived from the Germanic name "Ricard," meaning "powerful ruler."
65. **Cox:** A surname derived from the Old English word "coxa," meaning "hip," or an occupational surname for someone who worked as a coachman.
66. **Howard:** A surname derived from the Old English word "hord," meaning "treasure," or an occupational surname for someone who worked as a guardian or warden.
67. **Ward:** A descriptive surname referring to someone who lived near a ward or district, or an occupational surname for someone who worked as a guardian or warden.
68. **Torres:** A Spanish surname, meaning "towers," derived from the Latin word "turris."
69. **Peterson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Peter," derived from the Greek name "Petros," meaning "stone."
70. **Gray:** A descriptive surname referring to someone with gray hair or complexion.
71. **Ramirez:** A Spanish surname, meaning "son of Ramiro," derived from the Germanic name "Raimund," meaning "wise protection."
72. **James:** A surname derived from the Hebrew name "Ya'akov," meaning "he will supplant."
73. **Watson:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Walter," derived from the Germanic name "Walter," meaning "ruler of the army."
74. **Brooks:** A descriptive surname referring to someone who lived near a brook or stream.
75. **Kelly:** An Irish surname, meaning "bright-haired," derived from the Gaelic word "ceallach."
76. **Sanders:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Alexander," derived from the Greek name "Alexandros," meaning "defender of mankind."
77. **Price:** An occupational surname for someone who worked as a priest, or a descriptive surname referring to someone who was valuable or highly regarded.
78. **Bennett:** A surname derived from the Old French word "benet," meaning "blessed."
79. **Wood:** A descriptive surname referring to someone who lived near a wood or forest.
80. **Bryant:** A descriptive surname referring to someone who lived near a briar patch.
81. **Manuel:** A Spanish surname, meaning "God is with us," derived from the Hebrew name "Immanuel."
82. **Long:** A descriptive surname referring to someone who was tall or lived in a long place.
83. **Crawford:** A Scottish surname, meaning "crow's ford," derived from the Gaelic words "craf" and "forde."
84. **Diaz:** A Spanish surname, meaning "day," derived from the Latin word "dies."
85. **Allen:** A surname derived from the Old English word "alen," meaning "handsome" or "noble."
86. **Little:** A descriptive surname referring to someone who was small.
87. **Harper:** An occupational surname for someone who worked as a harper, playing the harp.
88. **Santiago:** A Spanish surname, meaning "Saint James," derived from the Hebrew name "Jacob."
89. **Hunter:** An occupational surname for someone who worked as a hunter, hunting animals.
90. **Burke:** An Irish surname, meaning "strong," derived from the Gaelic word "borg."
91. **Hayes:** An Irish surname, meaning "bright," derived from the Gaelic word "aodh."
92. **Mendoza:** A Spanish surname, meaning "mountain," derived from the Latin word "mons."
93. **Oliver:** A surname derived from the Latin name "Olivarius," meaning "olive tree."
94. **Powers:** A surname derived from the Old English word "power," meaning "strength."
95. **Hamilton:** A Scottish surname, meaning "high town," derived from the Gaelic words "ham" and "toun."
96. **Graham:** A Scottish surname, meaning "gravel," derived from the Gaelic word "gram."
97. **Gonzalez:** A Spanish surname, meaning "son of Gonzalo," derived from the Germanic name "Gunthram," meaning "battle-warrior."
98. **Boyd:** A Scottish surname, meaning "yellow," derived from the Gaelic word "buidhe."
99. **Ruiz:** A Spanish surname, meaning "red," derived from the Latin word "russus."
100. **Edwards:** A patronymic surname, meaning "son of Edward," derived from the Old English name "Eadweard," meaning "wealthy guardian."
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